Born on 6 October 1950 in Soisy-sous-Montmorency (F)

Nationality: French

Senior official in the Treasury Department of the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance (1976–1980)

Senior official in the French Permanent Representation to the European Communities (1980–1982)

Bureau Chief for regulations and relations between the Finance Ministry and the banking profession (1982–1986)

Adviser in the Private Office of Finance Minister Édouard Balladur (1986–1988)

Director of the Private Office of Finance Minister Edmond Alphandéry (1993)

Director of the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance (1993–1995)

Director of the Private Office of Finance Minister Jean Arthuis (1995–1997)

Vice-President of the European Central Bank (ECB) (1998–2002)

Governor of the Banque de France (since 2003)